There’s nothing quite like Christmas time is there?! To be incredibly clichè there is just something just so magical about it! The Christmas music playing everywhere you go, all the fuzzy warm drinks and goodies, the smiles on children’s faces, the excitement of giving, the joy of bringing family and friends together. It really has the potential to be as wonderful as you wish to make it. I love movies like, It’s a Wonderful Life, that really make you cherish and value the simple pleasures of being with friends and family and realizing it’s what is most important. To be together and love one another. What a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus.

If you are anything like my family we love doing all the festive activities! I’ve even gotten to start traditions of my own having my own little Family now and it’s so special! We are truly surrounded by so many towns and communities that pull together some amazing Holiday fun! So I decided to share a few places and activities we have loved and maybe you can check one or a few out this season.

Jim Thorpe

Olde Time Christmas: Dec 7-8, 14-15, 21-22

One of our absolute favorite places to visit during Christmas time is the quaint town of Jim Thorpe. It’s like a little slice of Switzerland. I remember the first time we visited we drove around the bend of the mountain into the valley of the town and how magical it was. It truly is a gem of a place to visit during the holidays. Their Olde Time Christmas kicks off this friday with their tree lighting and then their events run each weekend up until Christmas! We have now made it an annual thing to visit every year and we have such a great time.

It’s super relaxing and just a beautiful town to walk around checking out the little shops, stopping to eat at some delicious restaurants, visiting Santa and the free kids crafts, exploring the old mansions full of nutcracker themed displays, taking a train ride through the mountains, and even catching a horse and carriage ride! It’s truly a magical little spot from the moment you get there the caroling starts echoing throughout the town and the lights are lit up everywhere. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the cutest little Harry Potter themed coffee shop, Muggles Mug!

 

Montrose

Christmas in Montrose: Dec 6-8

We visited Montrose a few years back and it was absolutely adorable! My daughter was 2 at the time and she had the best time! The reindeer definitely are a main attraction to this small town’s Christmas event and all the kiddos adore them, including my little girl! It’s not often you get to see real reindeer during Christmas so I think it’s extra special for everyone! However, that is just one tiny little piece to this small town’s holiday fun! They have loads of events and fun things for the family!

They have photos with Santa, a craft fair, a farmers market, a 5K walk/run, horse carriage rides, town carolers, local eateries open late. Not to mention all of the amazing kid attractions! At the Rosemont Inn you will find Elsa and other Frozen characters greeting, singing, and dancing! There will be kids games, roasting marshmallows over fire pits, pony rides, and a free movie in the theatre. There is just so much to adore about this small towns major Christmas event!

Seneca, the amazing person that she is, actually helps head up and plan all of the Christmas in Montrose, which makes it extra special! You should most definitely check it out!💕

 

Tunkhannock

Christmas in our Hometown: Dec 6-7

Santa Train: Dec 14-15

Festival of Lights: Nov 22-Dec 31

Another adorable quaint town to visit during the Christmas season is Tunkhannock! They kick off their holiday spirit with their Christmas In Our Hometown and it’s filled with lots of special fun! They have a tree lighting ceremony, a live nativity, carolers strolling the streets, horse drawn wagon rides, dancers, and Santa of course! They have lots of street vendors and yummy treats like cocoa and cookies. They also have delicious restaraunts and adorable shops to check out! It’s another small town filled with lots of love and festive fun!

Tunkhannock also has brought back a beloved Santa train ride! It will run along the Susquehanna river departing from Riverside park and will be about 80 minutes long! Kiddos will adore getting to ride the train and get a visit from Santa! They will run the train three different times both days! There will also be an afterparty at Mercantile 22 with a free cocoa bar, s’mores bar, and an ornament kit for kiddos to take home!

The Last thing Tunkhannock offers during the holiday season is their huge display of lights at Stone Hedge Golf Course! It’s a massive display of Christmas lights that you drive through that brings in people from all over! It’s 2.5 miles long and it does not disappoint, you are sure to be in awe! They also offer a Christmas train for kids, s’mores, fire pits, free photos with Santa, and a vendor marketplace! It’s a place you definitely want to check off your list!

 

Utica

Polar Express Train: running all December

One of the most fun attractions you will find for kids! It is a little bit of a hike to get there depending on where you live but man is it magical! I was so impressed with how “ all out” they went with the theme of the polar express! They made it feel like you were really in the movie with all of the characters, the singing, the dancing, the shouting of, “ All aboard the Polar Express! ”, in that classic Tom Hanks voice! It was a few hours long total filled with cookies, cocoa, music, and of course the stop at the North Pole where Santa boards the train and greets ever kid on the way back. It really is a special time, my daughter was all googly eyed the whole time! I have her stamped little Polar Express ticket saved in her keepsake box from her first time! Not to mention the train station itself is quite the beautiful experience as we don’t get to experience train stations much these days anymore. All in all, a really great Christmas tradition for the family!

 

For more info:

All of these events you can easily find if interested on Facebook or if you google them online to get more information about specific times or tickets!❤️

In conclusion, it’s really so special just getting out into the community and spending time with family, friends, and strangers! You really feel the joy of Christmas when you surround yourself with people from all over coming together for the holiday season! Maybe your own hometown or a town local to you has an event. Go! Get out and experience the magic of Christmas. 

 

Written by: Paige Johnson